NEW YORK (AP) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo is extending New York’s moratorium on outbreak-related housing evictions.
The Democrat said Thursday that a moratorium planned through June is now extended until Aug. 20. This means residential and commercial tenants cannot be evicted if they can't pay rent throughout this time frame.
“You cannot be evicted for non-payment of rent related to this COVID situation,” said Cuomo.
The state has also put other guidelines in place to help ease the financial burden on tenants.
“We’re going to take additional steps banning any late payment fees because a person couldn’t pay the rent during this period of time. Also allowing people to use the security deposit as a payment, and they can repay it over a prolonged period of time,” said Cuomo.
Also, Mayor Bill de Blasio says New York City will test 140,000 people for coronavirus antibodies between next week and early June. The tests will be offered free by appointment at five locations.
The tests can tell whether someone had the virus at some point. It's unclear whether the antibodies provide future immunity, so the results will also be used for research. Most tests use a finger prick of blood on a strip.